Preesha Chakraborty, a nine-year-old Indian-American student at Warm Spring Elementary in Fremont, California, has earned a spot on the “world’s brightest” students list by the prestigious Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth. She took the JH-CTY test in Summer 2023 as a third-grade student. Preesha, apart from her studies, enjoys traveling, hiking, and practicing mixed martial arts.
Preesha’s remarkable achievements include being recognized for her outstanding performance on assessments like the SAT, ACT, School and College Ability Test, and similar tests as part of the CTY Talent Search. She is also a lifetime member of the well-known Mensa Foundation, a high-IQ society open to individuals scoring at the 98th percentile or higher on standardized IQ tests.
Her journey began at the age of six when she achieved the 99th percentile in the national-level NNAT (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test), designed to assess K-12 students for gifted and talented programs.
The Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
The Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) provides a variety of support for gifted students, encompassing summer programs, courses, written materials, community awards, and college counseling.
For many CTY programs, the initial requirement is enrolling in the Talent Search. Even programs available to all prioritize students who have taken part in the Talent Search.
What Does the CTY Talent Search Entail?
Described as the “gateway to CTY” on the CTY website, the Talent Search serves as the entry point for many students to engage with CTY programs. Focusing on the US Talent Search, the process involves the following steps:
Step 1: If you meet the eligibility criteria (explained shortly), enroll in the CTY Talent Search.
Step 2: Choose the appropriate test, register for it, and complete the examination.
Step 3: Upon receiving your score report, CTY provides a list of programs your score makes you eligible for.
Step 4: If your score is unsatisfactory or falls short for your desired programs, there’s an option to retake the test at a later date.
Who Qualifies for the CTY Talent Search?
The CTY Talent Search is accessible to 2nd-8th graders meeting any of the following criteria:
Scoring at or above the 98th percentile on a nationally normalized test, such as the School and College Ability Test (SCAT), PSAT, or Spatial Test Battery (STB).
Achieving the 98th percentile or higher on other qualifying state tests, like STARR State of Texas Assessments or the California Achievement Test.
Demonstrating outstanding academic performance, particularly for students lacking standardized test scores. Superior math and critical reasoning abilities are crucial for qualification under this criterion.
For eligibility details concerning 2nd-8th graders, refer to CTY’s official website.
For students in 9th grade or above, the Talent Search isn’t applicable. Instead, they must engage with CTY programs through the Diagnostic and Counseling Center (DCC), which will be discussed further in this article.
How to Apply for CTY?
The application for the Talent Search can be completed online.
When Does the CTY Talent Search Occur?
In CTY’s context, the academic year spans from July 1 to June 30. To be eligible for CTY in the upcoming school year, applications should be submitted after July 1. It’s not just the application date that matters; your test dates also influence eligibility. For instance, if you apply at the end of 7th grade but take the qualifying test after July 1, CTY considers you an 8th grader, imposing 8th-grade score requirements for all programs and recognition ceremonies.
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